Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 18 May (BelTA) – Belarus is extremely interested in advancing cooperation with Saudi Arabia. Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yevgeny Shestakov made the statement after the second session of the Belarusian-Saudi Arabian joint committee in Minsk on 18 May, BelTA has learned.

Yevgeny Shestakov said: “Belarus is extremely serious about cooperation with Saudi Arabia because it understands that Saudi Arabia is a very influential country in its region and a major international player. The Saudi Arabian economy has always been one of the world’s top 20 economies. Belarus is extremely interested in cooperation with Saudi Arabia.”

In his words, not all the opportunities in Belarusian-Saudi Arabian cooperation have been explored yet but the two economies are mutually complementary. For instance, today Saudi Arabia works to reduce its dependence on the energy resources industry. “This is why our scientists, our manufacturers, and our businessmen are ready to suggest cooperation in several areas to Saudi Arabia,” noted the Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. He went on saying that the sides could work together on third-country markets in the future as a result of this cooperation.

In turn, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia Youssuf bin Tarrad Al Sa'doun stressed that his nation feels profound respect for the Belarusian state and its people. “We have a lot in common. The fact that we mutually respect each other is the most important thing. We adhere to our own policy and values,” he remarked.

According to Youssuf bin Tarrad Al Sa'doun, representatives of Saudi Arabia have spent a week visiting various Belarusian companies, institutions, and enterprises in order to determine opportunities for advancing bilateral cooperation. “Since we are sincerely intent on advancing the relations, we have specifically brought experts in various branches of the economy here for them to see first-hand what opportunities are available in Belarus. During visits and contacts they agreed to continue working to establish cooperation in many sectors of the economy,” he remarked.

Youssuf bin Tarrad Al Sa'doun mentioned the development of cooperation in science and technologies, pharmaceutics, water resources management as promising.

“The existing level of trade and economic exchange fails to meet the potential of the two countries. Lack of information about available opportunities on both sides is the key reason,” he said.